| Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) is a major publicly
traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The
company is headquartered in Beaverton, near the Portland metropolitan area
of Oregon. It is the world's leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel
and a major manufacturer of sports equipment with revenue in excess of
$18.6 billion USD in its fiscal year 2008 (ending May 31, 2008). As of
2008, it employed more than 30,000 people worldwide. Nike and Precision
Castparts are the only Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the state
of Oregon, according to The Oregonian.
The company was founded on January 25,
1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight, and officially
became Nike, Inc. in 1978. The company takes its name from Nike, the Greek
goddess of victory. Nike markets its products under its own brand as well
as Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, Air Jordan, Nike Skateboarding and subsidiaries
including Cole Haan, Hurley International, Umbro and Converse. Nike also
owned Bauer Hockey (later renamed Nike Bauer) between 1995 and 2008. In
addition to manufacturing sportswear and equipment, the company operates
retail stores under the Niketown name. Nike sponsors many high profile
athletes and sports teams around the world, with the highly recognized
trademarks of "Just do it" and the Swoosh logo. |
